Fulbright-Hays DDRA

[moinonplus1]

Found that I had been upgraded yesterday. For those on this forum who might be wondering: my university's grant coordinator is incredibly responsabile and let me know straight away. I realize that not every university has someone who is as professional and timely and helpful... so, I wouldn't read too much into this if you've yet to hear back. Or else there's always the option of emailing US/ED directly to inquire.

And to anyone reading this in future grant cycles: this year should not be seen as representative in any way, shape, or form. Alternates typically have to wait for weeks and week - even months - before they hear back. Two years ago I had a colleague who only learned he had been upgraded in August (e.g. nearly five months after the initial announcement went through).

Edited September 22, 2012 by moinonplus1

[cz-linguist]

Congrats moinonplus1, I'm jealous. I've still not heard anything. I wonder whether the upgrades are rolling, or whether they did it in one day. Our program coordinator is very responsive, which is why this makes me nervous.

[moinonplus1]

Honestly, all I can say is that in the past alternates definitely have been notified on a rolling basis. As I mentioned, two years ago a friend only found out that the funding came through in August. That same year another colleague from the same Dept. learned she had been upgraded sometime in June. My guess is that they work hard to find funds if possible, and certainly try to notify alternates as soon as a spot opens up. But I doubt that those notification would all go out at the same time... hope that helps!

[cz-linguist]

That's encouraging. Here's hoping for the best...and congrats again.

[Elli389]

Congratulations moinonplus1!

So, from what I understand, not hearing anything by the 27th = no.

Apparently we only get a notification if we're upgraded.

[Elli389]

Hasn't anybody heard anything???????

At least it will be over tomorrow.

[cz-linguist]

I've heard nothing. Not even a response from Amy Wilson to an e-mail I sent on Saturday asking what my place on the alternate list is. This is all very unnerving. But you're right, either way, tomorrow it will be over.

[Kexin Renlei]

I wonder how things worked out for you, Kexin? Did you sort things out?

BTW I noticed that you also posted on the FB 2012 thread implying that if you switch from FB to FH some FB alternate would be bumped up. However, my classmate was a FB alternate and she said that alternate status ended in August. That is to say, no more FB awards are made after August even if people who have accepted change their minds.

edited to add: Also BTW, no, I'm not a China applicant waiting to snatch your spot!

Sorry to respond so late. Turning down a FH was so heartrending that it was hard to come back here. Fulbright IIE wanted $17,000 in clawbacks - yes, after I'd been here one week. With the added benefits of Fulbright (mostly affiliation tuition that's required for a visa, at least in China), switching to FH would have been a wash financially, and not worth the upheavals in my research schedule. At least I can think of some other grad student saving all that lovely FH money, coming back to the US and putting a down payment on a sweet little bungalow, instead of it just entering the Fulbright-CLEA black hole. (Which I have reason to believe exists, based on some odd emails coming from different parties involved that don't QUITE match up with each other.)

For the benefit of any future applicants caught in this situation (though this should be a 2012 one-time thing): Despite official Fulbright IIE policy, it is actually up to their discretion what size clawbacks they demand. If you were sick or pregnant or something, obviously they'd let you go, none the worse for wear. If you get a far more prestigious research grant delayed for the first time ever by Congressional incompetence, apparently that doesn't fit the bill. I think there may be some denial going on at Fulbright about the relative weight different grants carry in academic circles.

(For those of you who think this sounds entitled, save it. Unless you've been an Anthro or History PhD student at a public US university within the last 15 years, you have nothing to say to me.)

[cz-linguist]

Kexin: sounds like a far from ideal situation. You're right that beyond the financial difference, there is a difference in prestige between the awards. For what it's worth, you can still put this on your CV. Though, obviously that's not much consolation at this point.

I've given up on it, even though technically I should wait till the end of the day tomorrow. We'll see.

[snowblossom2]

If you get a far more prestigious research grant delayed for the first time ever by Congressional incompetence, apparently that doesn't fit the bill. I think there may be some denial going on at Fulbright about the relative weight different grants carry in academic circles.

(For those of you who think this sounds entitled, save it. Unless you've been an Anthro or History PhD student at a public US university within the last 15 years, you have nothing to say to me.)

But is that even true re: F-H being more prestigious than a Fulbright? I had never even heard of a F-H until grad school, but applied (and become a Fulbright scholar) to Fulbright as an undergrad. I'm a PhD student in Soc and they seem to be at the same level of prestige, if F not a little bit higher. (Of course, NSF DDIG is more prestigious than both of them in my field)

[Elli389]

Well, I just had to thank you fellow FHers for spending a few weeks worrying with me.

It was helpful to have you here. Despite the failed effort.

Maybe next year...

I think the application deadline for the next round of FH will be coming up soon!

[cz-linguist]

yeah....no last minute notification on my end. oh well.

[Kexin Renlei]

Thank you, cz-linguist and Snowblossom. I was having a bitter day when I put up my earlier post and was worried about what people's responses might be, and I appreciate the words of support and consolation. Reminds me that getting our research done in the current funding climate is a shared struggle. Best of luck to everybody on the next round of everything!

[cz-linguist]

ok, so I just got reviewer comments back. 95 points from one review, 97 from the other. My project was on Czech, so not one the LCTLs, which I'm guessing could have made the difference.